A world away from the life she once knew in Los Angeles, few things have changed in Jessica Peterson's life. Her hair, her address, her friends - sure these things are different. But she still walks the world upon the edge of a knife: on one side, peril surrounds her, as the 68 - and a new, mysterious force - seek her destruction; on the other side, the Snake Goddess continues to churn inside her, thirsting for revenge... and blood. However, there are forces of good at work as well. Jess finds a friend and guide in Sari, an old Indian woman she met in Goa, who turns out to be the reincarnation of one of the villagers slaughtered by the 68 those 300 years ago. As Sari leads the way into the heart of the Kabini jungle - they do not know that they're being followed, by the 68, yes, but also by a darker, deadlier spirit than anyone can anticipate.